Combined robe rail and receptacle



.117, 1935. c. F. scHLEGz-:L

COMBINED ROBE RAIL AND HECEPTACLE Filed May 4, 1934 /zls ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES :PATENT OFFICE COMBINED ROBE RAIL ANDRECEPTACLE Application May 4, 1934, Serial No. 723,955

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to a combined robe rail and receptacle and has for its object to provide an improved supporting device of this class which can be conveniently employed as a holding means for robes, shawls, and various kinds of wearing apparel, as well as various artioles which can be readily placed within the receptacle and removed therefrom when desired.

Av further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the class described designed for application to VSeat backs and other supporting structures, and which is of simple and durable construction, ornamentali and attractive in appearance, and designed to maintain its shape and to lend itself4 to various usages as an article carrying device.

A further object of the Yinvention is to provide an improved robe rail preferably of the Vflexible type yadapted for attachment toa suitable support to -occupyasubstantia1ly `horizontal position thereon, in combination withy a receptacle connected with and depending from the robe rail and adapted to receive and support various articles without interfering with the use of the robe rail as a robe supporting device.

A further object of the invention is to provide in combination with a robe rail, anarticle holding receptacle, together with improved means for connecting the receptacle with the robe rail.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, allA as=wi1l be yhereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at Athe end of the specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan View .of a combined robe rail and receptacle embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is aiside elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation drawn to an enlarged -scale and illustrating the manner of connecting the receptacle supporting means with the robe rail;

Fig.l 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the robe rail drawn to an enlarged scale and showing a portion of the resilient means contained therein for preventing sagging of the same;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation drawn to an enlarged scale and taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the combined robe railand receptacle;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same, and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation drawn to an enlarged scale andtaken -onlineB-B of Fig. 7.

The same Yreference numerals throughout the several views indicatey the same parts.

The present invention relatesto article hold- 5 .ing `means of the type which is yparticularly -adapted-for useinderent kinds 4of vehicles or conveyances of the passenger carrying type where it is desiredlto providefmeans for supporting, in a comparatively small-space, vvarious articles such 10 as small packages orbundles, along with wearing apparel,lap robes, :and other articles, Which'it may be desired to -carry along when traveling from time to time.

To thisend I have provided an improved arl5 ticle holding device which Canibe attached to the back of aseat or to a wall ory other support in different types of vehicles, but which is particularly adaptedfor use on the backs of the lseats of automobiles such, for eXample,-as the front seat 20 or others having free space at` .the rear thereof. The device comprises lgenerally aflexible robe rail having itsends-adapted forattachment to a seat back andcarrying adependingreceptacle, preferably one of a bag-liketype -having its ends connected with the ends of the robe rail and its rear portion-also connected therewith at points intermediate the ends thereof,while its front portion is supported byv-a ilexible cord-like member extending longitudinally of the robe rail and connected with the ends of the latter,said member being preferably formed `of resilient material so that it Will snap back into position upon release, after being pulled outwardly to enlarge the open- Ying between said front and rear portions to facilitate insertion of the larticles within the receptacle.

Referring to the drawing, I0 designatesa support such as a seat back or other structure to lwhich the robe rail, indicated.- generally at II, 'isattached, as by means of the brackets I2 or other suitablesecuring devices. yThe robe rail is preferably of the vflexibletype and in the'present disclosure-is formed by .twistingtogether a plurality of cords or strands I3 vformed of any suitable material. The ends ofthe Ytwisted. cords are preferably unraveled as indicated at I4 and extended 'through theg-ring-like portions :I5 .of the brackets I2 to form loops at the ends` of the robe rail which may be secured fin any suitable mannerisuchgfor example, as by wrapping or -Winding about the loops one or more strong threads .or strands as indicated at I 6 in Fig. 3. However, it will be understood that the `ends of theexible robe rail may beformedor .constructed in a dif- 55 ferent manner from that shown and suitably connected with the ring-like portions of the brackets .or seat back in a manner to maintain the robe rail in spaced relation thereto, thus facilitating gripping of the saine and the application of lap robes, shawls, and other articles of wearing .apparel to the rob rail.

Furthermore, means is provided for preventing sagging of the robe rail and for returning it to normal position when deflected therefrom, this means preferably comprising a spring Ia, of the closely coiled type, Fig. 4, Vwhich lies within and extends longitudinally of the robe rail and which is of a length and capacity suillcient to support it in the desired horizontal position.

The receptacle, which is connected with the Yrobe rail, may be of any preferred type and is preferably supported in depending relation thereon. The receptacle may be formed of any suitable material, such, for example, as cloth, netting, or other woven or fabric-like material. In the present disclosure the receptacle, indicated generallyat I8, is formed of interwoven or connected strands which may comprise twisted threads of silk or other fibrous material connected in a Ymanner toafford a receptaclev which is both attractive in appearance and efficient in service.

'Ihe individual strands forming the receptacle are best indicated atl 9 in Fig. 3, and at the ends o-f the receptacle such strands are crowded together as at ISa and secured to theends of the Vrobe rail by any suitable means such as the Wrapping or bindingrthread I6 for securing the looped portions I4 of the robe rail one upon another.

The front portion of the receptacle is supported Vby a flexible cord-like member indicated generally at 20 and preferably formed of resilient ma.- terial such as rubber, shown in section at 20w in Fig. 5, said member having a protecting cover thereon which may be of braided or other suitable material.

The strands I9 extending along the top of the front portion of the receptacle are connected with the cord-like member 20 by means of the loops or loop-like Vportions 2| while the corresponding strands of the rear portion of the receptacle are connected with the robe rail II by similar loops or loop-like portions V22, Figs. 3 and 5, the loops being spaced at the desired intervals, preferably throughout the length of the robe rail and said supporting member as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The cord-like member 20 has its end portions f d 23 positioned upon the ends of the flexible robe railas indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, said end portions being preferably extended Vthrough the ring-like members I5 of the brackets I2 and turned back vupon the robe rail ends so that they engage said ends at opposite sides thereof upon Vwhich they are secured preferably by the bind- Ving means I6, although if desired they may be 'secured by any other suitable means.

It will be seen therefore that the strands I9a at the ends of the receptacle I8 and the end portio-ns 23 of'thecord 20 are firmly and securely 'connected with-the ends of the robe rail where- `byV the weight of the articles placed /within the receptacle will be carried by said robe rail and the brackets orY fixtures I2 with which it is connected.V A portion of the weight of the articles will, however, betransmitted to the robe rail at Various points between its ends by the loops or rings 22 connecting the rear portion of the receptacle with the robe rail as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

The ends of the robe rail and the portions of the receptacle attached thereto are provided with'y protecting covers 24v/'nich may be crocheted or' otherwise formed over and secured upon said robe rail ends to provide a proper finish for the same. j Y

When it is desired to place articles withinv the receptacle the resilient cord-like member 20 may be grasped and pulled outwardly to widen the opening at the top of the receptacle whereby to permit the articles to be deposited therein, after which when the cord-like Ymember is released,y it willjthrough the resiliency of the material thereof, be returned to normal position cr substantially to the position shown in Fig. 5.

In the form of the device as shown in Figs. l to 5 of the drawing, the robes or articles of wearing4 apparel will be placed upon the robe rail in the usual manner and supported thereby independently of the receptacle depending therefrom, or in other words, the weight of such articles will be carried entirely by the robe rail withontany strain on the receptacle.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inelusive, the receptacle and supporting brackets for the robe rail are substantially the same as the corresponding parts of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

and have therefore been given the same reference characters. However, the robe rail connected with said brackets comprises similar front and rear cord-like members or sections 25, each Vformed preferably by twisting together a plutrality of strands 25a, shown in section in Fig. 8`.

The ends of the cord-like members 25 may be connected with the rings or ring-like members I5 of the brackets I2 in any suitable manner as, for example, by unraveling'said ends and looping and securing them upon' said ring-like members in the manner shown in Fig. 3. However, any other suitable method may be employed for connecting said ends with the brackets.

Furthermore, the strands I9a at the ends of the receptacle shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, are

preferably crowded together and secured upon the ends of the cord-like members 25 by any preferred means or in a suitable manner, said strands being concealed by the covers 26, which are similar to the covers 24 shown in Figs. 1 and The strands I9 at the upper edges of the front andrrear portions of the receptacle shown in Figs.

7 and 8 are connected with the front and rear sections of the robe rail by means of loops orV loop-like portions 2'I similar to those shown at from.

I claim: Y l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a flexible robe rail adapted for attachment to a support, an article holding receptacle Y' extending longitudinally of the robe rail and having means connecting it therewith for support thereby, and a r-esilient element securedl within eafoagser j 'the robe rail if'or'returningitiand'ithe 'lre'ce'ptaclefto normal lpositioni'wh'en deect'ed therefrom.

of the robe rail, and means forfsecuring "saidportions upon said 'roberai'llends u 3. In a device ofthe class describedjthecombination of a robe'frail, securing'fmeans#on-"the ends-of' the roberail vfor connecting it"'wit'h'a support, an `elon'gated' receptacle having f1 opposite side .portions extending longitdinally of the robe rail, means servingto'fconnectone"of*said vside portions `with the robe -railat intervals between 'the' ends Vof' the latter," a cord-likeme'mb'er connected v'with 'aand -forming 'af vsupportj for" the other of said `side yportions and means 7`connecting the ends vof -said cor'dL-likememberand the robe rail with said securing means.

ll. In a deviceof 'the'classdescribei'thecombination of a robe railihavingnreans'on theends thereof for securing it upon a support, an elongated receptacle having spaced side portions extending longitudinally of the robe rail, a plurality of securing parts disposed on the robe rail and connecting one of said side portions therewith at points between said securing means, and supporting means for the other side portion of the receptacle connected with the robe rail adjacent the ends thereof, independently of the supporting parts of the first mentioned side portion of the receptacle.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a robe rail having means at its ends for securing it upon a support, a receptacle beneath the robe rail having opposite side portions extending longitudinally of the robe rail, a plurality of supporting members for one of said side portions encircling the robe rail, a exible cord extending longitudinally between the ends of the robe rail and having its ends positioned upon said robe rail ends, means serving to bind said ends upon the robe rail, and supporting means for the other of said side portions connected with said flexible cord.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a robe rail having means on the ends thereof for securing it upon a support, a receptacle beneath the robe rail having opposite side portions extending longitudinallly of the robe rail, said receptacle formed of netting and one of the side portions having a plurality of loop-like members connecting it with the robe rail, a exible cord extending longitudinally of the robe rail between the ends thereof and having its ends connected therewith, and loop-like supporting members for the other side portion of the receptacle surrounding said flexible cord at intervals between the ends thereof.

'7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a robe rail having parts at its ends for securing it upon a support, an article holding receptacle extending longitudinally beneath the robe rail and having its ends secured upon said parts, and means connecting the receptacle with the robe rail intermediat-e the ends of the latter.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a robe rail having -parts on its ends for securing it upon a support, an article holding receptacle' kextending 'beneath the Y"'robe rail Aand s formed '.offfapluralityf of connected t strands, the

`strands lat the ends `of the receptacle "b'eing "fbunched' together and position'edltupn the VIend *portions of vthe'robe'rail*adjacentrsaid securing `YVparts, means connecting 'said-hunched strands `1With"'the tend 'portions fof saidfrobe'lrail, and "fmeansconnecting one vsideoi 7the"receptacle with "sa-idrobe rail intermediate Vthe ends'of` thelatter.

95 Inadevice'of the class described, Athe comfbina'tionof a rberaillhaving parts'iat'its'ends'for securing 'it' upon aisupport, 'an article holding receptacle beneath the roberail "having opposite 'side'portions' extending" longitudinally fof 'the robe f'r'ail;:said receptacle formedvof 'interwoven strands and 'the strands atl the ends' of the'receptacle beingvlbunched together 'and M.positioned upon" the endportionsof therobe railadjacent said securfingparts, -a/cordr extending longitudinally 1 of the ""lrobe lrail'.'and' connected with and adaptedto'sup- `.port 'oneof" the side portionsfof the receptacle, A said'fc'o'rdfhaiving its ends positionedu'pon vsaid-end I'portions offtherobe rail, and means'serving to fsecure'the endsof said cord* and the strands lpositi'oned upon fthe end portions of 'the lrobev rail vthereon. Y vv 4 "10. In-a:l device of lthe vclass'-'des`c1'fil:' ed,the com- "bination lof a'fseat `back,a iiexibleY roberail con- "vnected "with' fsaid" seatf'back, an` article hlding receptacle formed of exible material and extending longitudinally beneath the robe rail and connected therewith, and resilient means associated with the robe rail and receptacle for returning the latter to normal position when released after deiiection from said position.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting structure, a robe rail connected With said structure to occupy a. substantially horizontal position thereon, .an article holding receptacle extending beneath the robe rail and including front and rear portions, means connecting said rear portion with the robe rail, and a supporting member independent of said means connected with the front portion of the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the robe rail and connected with the supporting structure.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting structure, a flexible robe rail, an article holding receptacle, means connecting the receptacle with the robe rail, means connecting the ends of the robe rail with the supporting structure, and resilient means extending longitudinally of the robe rail and operating to return it to normal position when released after deection from said position.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting structure, a flexible robe rail, parts connecting the opposite ends of the robe rail with the supporting structure, ,an article holding receptacle extending beneath the robe rail and including a ilexible vertically disposed front portion, a resilient cord-like supporting member for said front portion extending longitudinally of the robe rail between the ends thereof and having its end portions disposed on said robe rail ends and connected with said parts, and means extending inwardly of said parts and serving to secure the ends of said cord-like member on the ends of said robe rail.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting structure, a exible robe rail connected therewith to occupy a substantially horizontal position thereon, a resilient element associated with the robe rail adapted to re- "turn it to normal position when deflected there- .frontV section of the receptacle outwardly therel' Y with and servingto return the same to normal position upon release of said cord-like member.

l5. In a device of the class described, a flexible robe rail, securing devices for attaching the robe rail to a support, said devices having openings through which the ends of the robe rail are looped, a receptacle formed of ilexible material and having supporting end portions positioned upon the looped ends of the robe rail, and means serving to secure said end portions of the receptacle upon the looped ends of the robe rail.

16. In a device of the class described, a ilexible Vrobe rail formed of a plurality of twisted strands,

securing devices for attaching the robe rail to a support, said devices having openings through which the end portions of therobe rail are looped, a resilient member concealed within the strands of the robe rail, a receptacle Vformed of fabric like material and having end portions positioned upon the looped end portions of the robe rail, and means connecting the end portions of the receptacle with the looped portions of the robe rail, said resilient memberY serving to return the robe 5 rail to normal position when released after deiiection from said position.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a -roberaiL devices with which the opposite ends of the robe rail are connected for 10 attachmentto a support, an article holding receptacle extending longitudinally of the robe rail and having end supporting portions positioned upon the ends of the robe rail, and one or more securing strands wrapped Vabout the ends of the 15 robe rail and the end portions of the receptacleY and securing them one upon another.

18. In a device of the class described, a ilexible robe rail, devices connected with the robe rail for Y attaching it to a support, a receptacle having op- 20 y posite side` portions one including a exible cord extending longitudinally of the robe rail and having its end portions disposed on the ends of the robe rail, and securing strands wrapped about the ends of the robe rail and the end portions 25 of the cord and serving to bind said robe rail ends and the end portions of the cord together.

CARL F. SCHLEGEL. 

